Klitschko 2.0 would utterly dominate the heavyweight division over the following decade. In 2006, he stopped the champion in seven ruthless rounds. In 2000, Klitschko had defeated the same opponent by unanimous decision to win the WBO championship. The improvements in the challenger were becoming clearer. There was a belt on the line for Klitschko too when he fought IBF champion Chris Byrd in his next bout. The Peter win aged incredibly well as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ went on to reign as WBC heavyweight champion. He would not be knocked down again under Steward’s watch. Klitschko was awarded the unanimous decision. Peter won some battles but, at the end of 12 rounds, it was ‘Dr Steelhammer’ that won the war. Not only that, but he boxed brilliantly when he did so. But unlike against Sanders and Brewster, or in his first career loss to Ross Puritty, Klitschko kept getting up. Klitschko was knocked down three times over the course of the contest. The clubbing blows of the powerhouse took their toll, even if many of them did so on the back of the Ukrainian’s head. There were times in this dramatic heavyweight collision where it looked like Peter would make good on that promise. With Mike Tyson having retired just three months before Klitschko faced Peter, many were keen to anoint the Nigerian as the next incarnation of ‘Iron’ Mike. The 24-0 power puncher had racked up an extensive highlight reel of knockouts. Samuel Peter was one of the most feared men in the heavyweight division. Lewis’ rise to undisputed dominance would provide the blueprint for the Steward/Klitschko relationship.Īfter early wins over contenders DaVarryl Williamson and Eliseo Castillo, ‘Dr Steelhammer’ was ready to test his new-found style against a stiffer challenge. Under his stewardship, if you’ll pardon the pun, ‘The Lion’ had built his style around defensive genius, well-timed power shots and the best jab the heavyweight division had seen since Larry Holmes. Steward had coached the greatest heavyweight in recent memory, Lennox Lewis. Klitschko was knocked out in five rounds of a WBO heavyweight title fight with Lamon Brewster. Their first bout together could not have gone any worse. He won two warm-up bouts before enlisting Steward as his coach. Klitschko had suffered the upset of the year when being knocked out by Corrie Sanders in 2003. That was all in the distant future though.
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